Croatian tennis player Ivo Karlovic has capped off a remarkable recovery from a near career ending illness just weeks ago to claim his first ATP tournament in five years on Sunday.

The giant from Salata in Zagreb only returned to the professional circuit this month after a three-month absence, including one month in a Miami hospital bed with viral meningitis. Karlovic had a straight-set win over local player Alejandro Falla in the Claro Open Colombia final on Sunday 6-3, 7-6 in an hour and 18 minutes. Karlovic did not lose his serve the whole tournament.